Summer is here and area football teams have begun 7-on-7. What may be conceived as a glorified pass-skeleton drill, really allows quarterbacks and receivers to get an early jump on fall workouts. Some area coaches are pleased with the way the competitions are going, while others feel there is quite a bit of progress that needs to be made during two-a-days.

Atkins

The Atkins Red Devils competed in their first 7-on-7 Thursday night at Dover, and head football coach Charlie Sorrels said he came away impressed the way the team performed at Dover. The team has mostly everybody coming back from last year, Sorrels said.

"We're doing practically the same thing we've always done and added a few plays in the spring, but it was pretty easy for them to come back in. I thought our first game against Fayetteville we executed very well and I was real pleased with it," Sorrels. "Everybody is pretty much in the same place as they were the last year or last two years, so that makes it a lot easier when they're already familiar with everything we do."

Sorrels said his seniors have stepped up and become leaders thus far, specifically Terrence Bobo, CD Castro and Russell Gibson. Sorrels said the team needs to improve on all areas of their game, but he said he believes other players will pick up the slack.

"Some of our seniors have stepped up and become leaders. Terrence Bobo, C.D. Casto and Russell Gibson are three of our returning starters that played a large role in our offense last year. Naturally we are counting on them pretty heavy," he said.

"We probably need to improve on all of our areas [offense, defense and special teams], but we feel like we're going to be more balanced than we were last year anyway. With as many people we have coming back we should be able to use the passing and rushing game and get the ball to a number of people. Naturally, Terrence is going to get the ball in his hand quite a bit, but we think we have enough kids who will come on and pick up some slack," he said.

Sorrels said 7-on-7 is a good thing because it gives the team a chance to prepare and look forward to the season. The Red Devils are excited about 7-on-7 and look forward to facing their competition, he said.

"I think 7-on-7 is a good thing, it kind of jump starts the summer for our football team and gives us something to look forward to. They enjoy the Thursday night 7-on-7 with the league play we have. The team is excited about 7-on-7, it's a little different from the regular grind of a season, so I think they're looking forward to it."

Atkins will host their first 7-on-7 football competition June 28.

Dardanelle

First-year Dardanelle head football coach Josh Price said things were moving slowly for the Sand Lizards. Price said he was disappointed with the effort of his players.

"The part I was disappointed yesterday with was effort. We have some bad habits on offense and defense, guys are standing around watching and we have to get out of that," he said. "The execution part I expect that to be slow, but there's no reason not to hustle on every single play and that's something we will get corrected before next time."

Price said he is learning about his team as much as they are learning about him.

"It's a total new offense and defense, especially for the quarterbacks, their heads are spinning a little bit right now. They are getting a whole lot throw at them, so they're trying as best they can, it's going to take a bit to get used to," Price said.

Price said 7-on-7 gives his team a chance to go over game-type situations and a look at what the team needs to work on. He continued to say his players are doing things he knows they wouldn't normally do in a game. Price said he wants the team to quickly get out of that habit.

"7-on-7 is good for your pass coverage's and your quarterback reads. It is important for the conditioning aspect, but it's gotten to where some people are playing the drill and doing stuff they aren't going to be doing during the season. I don't like that aspect, but I do like the fact you get to throw and catch a little bit, work on some timing and things along those lines," Price said. "We hope to get better on our timing, let our wide receivers get off the ball and defensively once the ball is in the air, let's get on our horse and get after it, let's not stand around and watch it."

Price said he would put the best 11 players out on the field and looks for big things from Kendal Pinckey and Lucas Loving.

"The best 11 athletes are going to be on the field. I think we're pretty solid with what we finished spring ball with. Kendal Pinckey and Lucas Loving are going to be my Friday night quarterbacks and if there not playing quarterback then they'll be on the field somewhere," Price said. "We're full speed every play, all 11 of us and that's what we're going to ask of you and we're not going to accept anything else. It doesn't matter offense, defense or special teams, that's why it's such a team game because it takes all 11 guys busting their tails, not three or four, it's all 11. We as a coaching staff really drive that home and hopefully the players understand that point."

While Price said he was not happy with the efforts thus far from the team he did say he was pleased with Tyler Balloun on defense and Will McCormick on offense. The Sand Lizards will host a 7-on-7 at Dardanelle June 28.

Russellville

Jeff Holt and the Cyclones were participating in the Shootout of the South during the interview, but Holt said the team played well in the Harding Academy 7-on-7. However, Holt said the team looked sluggish in the pool play of the Shoot-out of the South and hoped to pick it up today.

"On Thursday nights we just haven't had any fire or enthusiasm in our play. We've got to pick it up a lot and play hard. We need to play with heart and excitement. We've just kind of walked through things. We've got a ways to go."

Holt said the team needed to work on everything in general and would focus on certain aspects during 7-on-7 competitions.

"We need to work on everything, I mean everything. Route running, defending, drops, quarterback play and just everything, we've got to work on it all," Holt said.

Ola

The Mustangs practiced at Arkansas State University last weekend and participated in their first 7-on-7 with Russellville on Thursday night. Coach David Minnie said the team was doing great.

"I think they're doing great, we've got a little more experience this year than we had last year. The kids understand the system so we're not doing a whole lot of work having to teach kids routes and timing. A lot of it has to do with experience and that helps out tremendously during 7-on-7," Minnie said.

Minnie said he wanted to work on the secondary, which he felt has always been a weakness with his team. He continued to say during 7-on-7 the team was practicing on disguising coverage's and going over role assignments.

"The secondary has always been a weakness for us, that's going to be one of the areas we need to improve on this year. During 7-on-7 that's one area we are really focusing on that," Minnie said. "We're just trying to get our coverage's down and highly disguise them a bit and what we're looking for as far as trying to figure out responsibilities of everybody."

Minnie said he feels like because of the team's familiarity with each other and the experience they gained from last year, they should be able to solid. He said he felt the team should have an advantage experience wise because they started seven 10th graders last season.

"Last year we started seven 10th graders, we were very young last year and we've got quite a few juniors and seniors. This will be one of our most experienced teams we've had in probably two or three years. We're looking forward to having that experience to use and hopefully that works out to our advantage," Minnie said.

Minnie said Tyler King won the receiver of the camp and is a tremendous athlete. He continued to say Issac Jones, would be a team leader.

"Probably our biggest team leader would be Issac Jones a senior offensive linemen who does a great job at keeping everyone motivated and team morale up," Minnie said. "Tyler King, who will be a senior next year, does a great job for us."

Minnie said the best thing about 7-on-7 was getting the guys out playing football and keeping the players active. The Mustangs will scrimmage the Dardanelle Sand Lizards on June 28 at Dardanelle.

"I think the best thing for 7-on-7 is getting the guys out there during the summer, it keeps the players active. They get to go out and enjoy it."